Rental advocates pushing for change before Democratic trifecta expires

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Currently, Michigan has a Democratic trifecta, controlling the offices of Governor, Senate and House. However, this year's election put an expiration date on that control with Republicans taking the House.

Frustrated renters say it's now or never to push the renters' rights package across the finish line.

"We are hoping to put pressure and demand change from our Democratic leaders," said Anuja Sudarshan, a Michigan State University student and Rent is 2 High advocate.

"We need our renters' bill of rights," rental advocates chanted.

"It is very, very disappointing. We had a lot of hopes for the Democratic Trifecta and we've seen that all though, they delivered on many issues critical to Michiganders, they're still some real materials that we need for our people," said Maria Ibarra, Ann Arbor resident.

Grassroots coalitions Rent Is Too Darn High and We The People Action Fund gathered at the state Capitol as the clock for the Democratic majority ran out.

I've lived in situations where I have not necessarily had safe housing like lots of flooding, lots of mold," said Sudarshan. Anuja Sudarshan has been renting for four years and says the nine bills on renters' rights are long overdue.

She says poor living conditions and policies could deter people from moving to the state. "The rent, the rent, the rent is too damn high," rental advocates chanted. "It used to be $699 and now I pay almost $900. So, I would say, $200 a month but that really adds up very quickly," said Sudarshan.

On the flip side, Erika Farley at the Rental Property Owners Association says this issue affects everyone including landlords.

"Inflation, just as it affects you and I at the grocery store, it affects property owners and the cost of a furnace or a roof or maintenance or labor, all those things have gone up and that has affected rental prices," said Farley.

Farley says a rental price cap makes it difficult to ensure there are enough good properties to go around, but rental advocates say they can't wait until the 2026 elections.

The focus of Wednesday's rally was centered around the nine bills that demand for renters' protection. The rent control ban is to allow local departments to have a say in rent hikes.

A package of Senate bills relating to tenants' rights was introduced back in June by Senator Sarah Anthony. Nothing has been done with the bills since then.